Olagbenro, Edor, Kogi : January sue polls post-reactions unfold


SUE presidential aspirants, Emmanuel Edor, Samuel Olagbenro, as well as campaign manager to Olagbenro, Abubakar Umar (KOGI), share their thoughts exclusively with *OLANIYI ADERUKU* on the recently concluded SUE polls among sundry issues. Excerpts:_ 

_Its not easy to produce two Presidents – *KOGI*_
_In every election, there would always be lapses – *EDOR*_
_We are still together. There is no breach in our relationship. – *OLAGBENRO*_

*What comments can you give about the election being conducted on a Friday?*
EDOR: Today being Friday did not favour election running in this school. Most students who would have voted couldn’t come because they were busy. Most of them were at the shopping mall, at the bank, bursary and so on. So it was a factor that contributed to low turn-up from my supporters.
OLAGBENRO: I don’t see anything special about it. The day was picked and we had to consent. Delay defeat equity. I believe people were more ready to turn up for the election if it held last Saturday than yesterday. Yesterday, people were more busy and those things splitted the votes. 
*How did you feel when the election results were announced?*
OLAGBENRO: Right now, I feel as if I’m in a new world with old set of people. I see a different life. I see the entire society being new this night but with old set of people.
EDOR: I didn’t feel anything because let’s say am not moved by the result. I saw it coming because there was no time for people from other departments to come and cast their votes due to the fact that some were busy in the acad, bursary and the ICT office based on exam card printout among other issues. 
KOGI: Before the election, I told you, if you can remember vividly, ‘I don’t put on white and lose.’ I already saw victory coming. When I heard the results, I was happy but I wasn’t really surprised. I’m happy he won. 
*What contributed to Olagbenro’s victory?*
OLAGBENRO: The architect of the universe, God, and the majority. According to Abraham Lincoln, anywhere democracy appears, majority must be present.
EDOR: The law student were marched out in mass to support their fellow student. Let’s say we came out in mass and they came out in masses. And by the time the people from other departments were set for voting, it was already late because the closure of voting time had been announced.
KOGI: The zeal was there. The people from his college gave him support. It was evident. Our campaign strategies worked for us. We were able to convince people about his simple agenda. The popularity on my part was there. So, many people believe in our team. Our success is credited to teamwork. It wasn’t just me. It’s not easy to produce two presidents. I don’t want to give credits to anyone in our camp. From birth, he has been destined to be president. He sold himself out and people were convinced to vote him and my other candidates.
*What would be the first thing he should do as president?*
OLAGBENRO: Putting the house in order. I’ll lay the foundation. I’ll do some corrections. I’ll get my people together and we’ll reach a consensus before embarking on any project.
EDOR: It’s not me to decided that for him. He has his own agenda and plans; goals and aims. 
KOGI: The first thing he should do is the issue of the promised Televisions. The TVs should be made available before October. He should put his campaign promises into consideration. 
*What’s going to be your relationship with your political opponent?*
EDOR: We were never friends. We got talking due to our ambitions for the SUE presidency. During the manifesto, I discovered that he is cool headed. The problem he is having is that his campaign manager, Kogi, pushed him to an extent that he may not be able to control. He should be reminded that he (Kogi) would be leaving school in two weeks. Nonetheless, I can work with anybody. 
OLAGBENRO: We are still together. There is no breach in our relationship. Time would tell if we would work together. 
KOGI: Our relationship has been very cordial. Even his boys are very close to me. We even greeted at the polling unit although, I’ve not seen him after the election results was announced but I’m planning to meet him soon to commend him for his doggedness, strength and the enthusiasm he adopted during the electioneering. I really commend him. 
*In the future, how would you handle those people who stood as staunch political opponents during the campaign process?*
OLAGBENRO: In election, there is franchise. That is, a right to vote and be voted for. I can’t blame them for that. I still see them as Jabuites. I don’t see them as if they hate me, they only believed in another person. Perhaps, I was not able to convince them enough. Success is a father to all. We are still the same. We are one. My opponent used to be my opponent, not my enemy.
EDOR: That always happen. I’ve been able to observe things from my own vintage point of angle for over three decades now. And in this life, it’s not everybody that will like you; some will just dislike you for no reason. I got a lot of things to think of than to be disturbing myself about who likes or hate me. The main point is am good with everybody
*Would you say that the election was free and fair?*
OLAGBENRO: To a reasonable extent, the election went well.
EDOR: I’ll rather not comment. Truth is: in every electoral situation, there would always be lapses. Nevertheless, I must say that the electoral committee and the Students’ Affairs really tried.
KOGI: It was free and fair. Apart from the electoral committee, the Students Affairs Officers were on ground to monitor the election. The credibility wasn’t compromised. The only problem I had with yesterday’s election was that it didn’t start on time. 
*Are there still ways you would be serving Jabuites?*
EDOR: Sure. I will still serve in the best way I can.
*What can you promise Jabuites?*
OLAGBENRO: I promise never to disappoint them. I’ll try my best. 
*And if your best is not good enough?*
They should see it as a limitation of the school. You can’t be satisfied if you see me as the messiah. You can’t be satisfied if you dwell on past glory. See me as someone coming to create his own impact.
*Do you think Olagbenro/Edor has the capacity to deliver?*
EDOR: If he (Olagbenro) has the right cabinet working with him, I believe he can do something. However, no matter how well he works, there would be people who would complain even among those who supported him. 
KOGI: He(Olagbenro) would, because the agenda he stated are attainable. There were not capital projects that requires huge amount of money. I’m very optimistic and inquisitive that he would deliver the dividends of democracy.
OLAGBENRO: I can’t bet on anyone’s stability or competence. I can only speak for myself. ‘I’m in prison of my own identity.’ which means I represent myself.
*Would you agree that Olagbenro is a better man for the job?*
EDOR: well, let’s wait and see for ourselves. In less than three months, he would fully be in office but I know that he has plans for real and I respect him for that.
*If there was an opportunity for a rerun, what would you be doing differently?*
EDOR: Well, let’s say I have another focus now. I lost the fight of SUE presidency but I won the war of family and friends; those that never let me down. For a rerun, I don’t see why I shouldn’t but not in JABU. There are higher places to attain. 
*What plans do you have ahead of you?*
EDOR: I’ll go ahead with my studies. I have programmes I’m running outside JABU. I have a lot of things doing. I’m a project facilitator. I work. I’m on study leave. 
*This interview was conducted exclusively by Torch Campus’ Olaniyi Aderuku, to the individuals involved individually and at different times. It was first uploaded on:*  toluwaseblog.wordpress.com
_*©Olaniyi2017  IG@olaniyiaderuku*_

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